TRI-ATHLON (trifactor series 2009)

BALI RETREAT (28-30 Aug 09)

When we work, we work hard, we earn and feel that mission accomplished.

There is no need to act how busy and how deligent, boss sure knows how to judge. For that we were on flight to Bali for surprise retreat.

Once we were in Ngurah Rai Airport Denpasar, I could immediately notice Eric Li, with his shiny bald head trademark and a huge cheeky smile that makes people so comfortable.

2 SUV cars with the 'Heavenly residence' decal were in the parking lots waiting for us to load our 'barang-barang' in. Phew!! glad we were here!

The drive to 'Heavenly Residence' was pleasant, full of excitement in the car, we only noticed that we were in the middle of nowhere once we hit the quite uphill road without much light, we were there about 8pm (it's dark already). Passing thru winding road, finally we were in the entrance of secluded Villas with a very strong aroma of the sea.

Getting of the car, quiet sense engulf us, a buttler approaced and showed us the door to on of the villa. Once I stepped in... the only words came out of me was: 'Oh My God' (which was also the actual name of the Villa). It was beautiful, a huge private pool with jacuzzy overlooking the calmness of the sea below. A romantic 'Balai-Balai surrounded with Tiki Torches and comfy long dinner table readyfor us. We were greeted with cheerful familiar faces. Soon we were entertained by the gracious baliness dancers. Beautiful!

Once we were seated, dinner was served menu of the day was the sumptuous Babi Guling (roasted whole pig baliness style). Champagne and wine flowing freely along with the spicy wonderful meal.

The people, atmosphere, the propes.. the sea the scents.. everything was so perfect. We were chatting till very late. When everyone finally decided to call off the nite, I decided to hang out a little in the pool area. I couldn't resist not to swim, I swam quite awhile till I could feel my shoulders heavy.

That nite I was too excited to sleep. I went out a while, sit around the pool reading my Clive Cussler. I guess I needed to knock off too, went to my bed and almost went to my dream when I heard knocks on the door, Susan my roomate opened the door and there was Albert, with his pillows, saying he was afraid of the dark, Goodness. We let him curl on the floor, soon he snored like crazy and at the end I couldn't sleep.

Early morning I decided to don my running attire and had a good hog around the hills. It was a very wise decision, I enjoyed so much, occasionally there was a number of school children ran along and greeted me with their innocence smile. This was wonderful life! The area was deserted, the air was so clean and the few villagers were super friendly.

Follow on our stay in the Villa, we were treated really like stars. Eric and Clara as well as the Staff were such a great people. We trully enjoyed the retreat, not to forget to mention, dr. Wong and Mrs Wong who have always been very nice and understanding Boss.

adidas sundown marathon

The time finally came.

Frankly, I had been looking forward for this run eventhough I was not totally well prepared, I was still down with the lingering bone strain that did not allow me to train LSD with PCRC.

Nevertheless, a group of us met earlier for dinner at Changi Village Market. The carnival was quite fun with big screen for the movie marathon after midnite. 

We were running in the group to begin with, but after the first marker, all of us were dispersed. I was running all the time with Hussain, the first 21km was uneventfull. It was started out when we crossed over the first over head bridge, i started to slow down tremendously. Hitting the 28km mark my stomach started to growl and cramping by then i'd taken 4 gels  already, still the battery was never lifted up. 

Banana was given at the 30km mark, I couldn't bring myself to pick one and eat, I could feel that my tummy was gonna burst anytime, the cramp was so bad. 

Positive thinking was not working at all. Hussain was too kind, he was all the while waiting for me. All I could think just saying a prayer, repeating 'Our Father" nonstop.  Suddenly a burst of energy stroke me, I found myself picking up the pace, it was generally steady and we both graciously took over the passage, too bad it just lasted me approx 3km and the finish line was 8km away. My watch was shown 4h20-something, when I felt the both legs started plouding. I took no chance by gulping another powergel, but no avail, i couldn't bring myself to run again, 2 km passed, i took the 7th powergel, by then it was only 5km away to finish line. I could not even jog, I was in agony, I wanted to cry to stop the pain, but it wouldn't bring me the miracle. All I need was just to keep on moving till the finish line.

I started to jog again when Hussain told me it was just another 2km to go, we slowly moved meter by meter, till we reach Changi Village, where the finish line was supposed to be just a bridge away. But to my horror, detour.... we must turn right and there was like another 200-300 meter more to go to finish line. Only one word in my mind, perservere, a little bit more to go. Some young boys started to sprint to finish, but hell, my legs and my breathing were not rythmic at all, I was so close to finish line to give up. When the finish gate was looming on us, I took the last strength to pass thru it, I could not put myself ready for photographer snapping our photo. Finally the ordeal was over. I was so glad to finish before sunrise. 5hr39min gun time.

1st trial Running At Midnite Hour

As Sundown Marathon is just a month away we have decided to do nite familiarization run, to get our body to be acclimatized with the wee hours.

We were supposed to start the run at 11pm from Sengkang CC, but the weather was not so kind to us, rained cats and dogs. Mike wanted to cancel the run, but since 4 of us already waited in CC so we were praying that the rain stopped before midnite that we may proceed with the plan. Mother nature was really listening to our prayer, soon the rain stopped, we proceed with the run, 9 of us agreed to take it slow and easy to get the body to run after midnite. We tackled the Yio Chu Kang - Upper Thomson road till the junction to Manday road, it gave us approx 11-12km. Reached the petrol kiosk (u-turn point) we took some photos. During the run back to CC, we could feel our batteries slowly diminishing, the route as we knew, it's quite a challenge. We were so lucky having Russell, our comrade to support us driving and acting as water pitch-stop. Not known to us he had prepared a surprise waiting for us in the finish point. We reached CC safely but shagged. A lined of Roti Prata packets quickly boosted our energy----tired, wary and aching.. we still had some fun chattering and bickering each other.

What a nite!!!!!

MY VIRGIN BIATHLON

It was started when some friends put out some invitation to join the Mini Biathlon at Sengkang Anchorvale. Without any training to complete the 2 disciplines together, I just signed up and hoped to have fun. The Mini, sounded quite easy, 300meter pool swim and 3.5km run, well I thought having ran marathon, it's going to be piece of cake to complete this challenge for me.

The swim was delivered with waves, I was quite lucky that my wave started at around 9am, so it was considered quite early, eventhough the sun was already burning. Thinking that 300meter (6laps) was quite short, I went all out on the swim leg, never in my mind that there's run leg to tackle. Swim was ok, but when I was out of water into the transition area I was like ----Geeee--- so many people had run off... haizzz was I one of the last???? Surprisingly eventhough I was struggling and out of breath, I managed to pass some girls, and kept on telling myself that I could make it. Sun was realy so hot by then, finally I reached the finish line, someone just told me to go back to the pool for resting.

After all my friends were back from the run, we decided to stay back for "Lucky draw", this is the only chance for all of us to get some prize.

Before the Lucky Draw, they read out the winner, I was taken aback when they called my name as 2nd runner up-- 'Kalang Kabut' but very pleased, got trophy and $100,- cheque.

Perry, Fion, Me, Russel and Choon Hong (Sengkang Mini Biathlon 22 Feb 2009)

Itching for another biathlon, me and some friends went for NIE biathlon on the 14 Mar 2009. Some friends had mentioned that this race is highly competitive, coz mainly it's interschool championship. Nevertheless, we had tasted that the feeling of completing the 2 disciplines was great, we went ahead with this 800meter pool swim and 5km run. The distance was much more then the Mini Bi that we had earlier, so we were to conserve our strength during the swiming leg.

We started pretty late, about 11am with the swim, by the time we ran, it was scorching hot. I was just happy with the experience and my timing for 1st timer wasn't bad at all 54minutes in total. But I know that I must work on my stroke to cut the time more.

With Fion getting all the barang-barang ready in the transit area

NEWTON ACTIVE RUN 2009

The race day has come. I was told to work as bike marshall and take care the 2nd wave, veteran group. Everything went off smoothly, and Alvin and I kept on looking out for the last runners of the group. To start with we ended up following the lady last runner, when suddenly after most runners cleared the first park, one uncle jogged slowly trying to catch up with the rest. But he was slow, even too slow that ended up running along with the 3rd wave, Fun Runners. Until the u-turn that separate the 10k to 5k, he was drifting alone with me ridding behind him. When we reach almost 6k, I decided to run along with him, to keep him company and boast his morale. Too my surprise, he was so determined to finish, I cheered him along.

Along the way towards the finish line, I encouraged all the marshall to run along, to make a glamour entry to the finish line. A real true VIP for the day....

YueFen's Wedding @Laguna Golf Club (Tanah Merah)

My second niece in law's wedding finally came along. As one of the direct/ close family member, we were to attend the morning tea ceremony, to be served tea (We were considered one of the elders, I think). But well.. everything went very well, eventhough in actual I was not feeling very well - a little bit overtrained and had cough bugging me.



The solemnization was blessed with great weather, slightly cloudy, so it made the atmosphere not too hot. The golf course added so pictureque scene, beautiful with occasional plane flew so close above us.

When the dinner served in the evening, it was like 8.30plus. I was so starving, and was too bad for me coz I could not munch the reception nuts.

Food was good but the service was kinda low then expected. Perhaps they needed further training before putting them to serve banquet.

We were done by around 10pm, luckily my sister in law, Anne, volunteered to send us home.

lunch with my indonesian gang

So happy when Atha pm-ed me in the FB that we were meeting up and had lunch together. We actually had so many things to catch up, but I guess time was a constraint, Sari needed to pick her daughter up, and Lina was helping her by driving her up. Wulan also must rush back to tend her waroeng, Suzi and I must get back to work too, except for my dear Atha, she had all time in her hand today.

We had lunch at Shokudo (the Japanese market style restaurant) @ Heeren. The food range was ok, lots of choice, but since I was so late and had limeted time, I just ordered Japanese Fish n Chips. Nothing so special about it, presentation was guite ok and the portion was quite generous, I wish they did better in preparing the Tartar sauce.

We chatted alittle here and there and time really flew so fast, next thing we know we needed to part .... sigh.

Chinese New Year 2009

The days that most Chinese has been waiting for.

New year Eve on the 25th January 2009, having a reunion dinner with the in laws. And it has been like that since the day I was here. As usual "SteamBoat" is the theme. This year my mother in law has grown older, she's like 70's years old and maybe because of that the meal was rather plain and simple. But anyhow, I still am ok with that.

The 1st day of New Year, 26th Jan 2009, We all gathered in my second in law's, as my mother in law stays with her. Had lunch there and as usual Hong Pao giving, the favourites of all kids. All cousins, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunties met and chatted, had gathering once a year. As there was food here and there, I just ate and ate and ate like nobody's businesses.

The 2nd day of New Year, 27th Jan 2009, we went to 2nd Aunty's house, again food and food and all new year goodies.

Those Kueh Bangkit... ehmmm I finished the whole tray, and one more thing they also had buffet catering, with nasi biryani, my favourite. Gosh.. I never stuffed myself so much, luckily I wore somesort of baggy dress, so I wasn't worry at all with bulging tummy.

Hey.. but I dare to praise myself as I just did short run with friends early in the morning before leaving for Aunty's house. Well, all the stuffing in was all paid out.










Back to work on the 3rd day, I woved to keep the diet low in calories, ha ya... at work still continuously had snacks and heavy meal, as well as 'Yu-Sheng' good luck raw fish toss. At the end, I felt so bunked up. Could feel that the 'Nature Call of Waste Removal' not as smooth.
The day after that I got myself a coffee enema.. phewww what a release!!!

Coffee Enema

Coffee - it has been favourite of all time coffee drinkers, but notoriously also gain popularity being a substance to be avoided, as it is known to be acidic, dieuretic, temporary booster or stimulant. Is there any benefits at all of this humble beans?

Surprisingly, coffee is beneficial for our liver, but how this can be achieved if drinking coffee is making one's feeling all negative effects?

The procedure was first found by a German Nurse during the world war one where in the casualty camps the medical provision was not sufficient at all. She administered an enema to several badly wounded soldiers to relief pain with the only warm liquid available, from a coffee pot. Almost immediately the soldiers felt relief from pain, relief that persistent for hours. So why coffee is so special?

The coffee enema stimulates an enzyme system in the liver by 700% an increase in activity. During this time, there are dilation of blood vessel and bile ducts as well as the relaxation of smooth muscles, hence it increases the bile flow to cause a flushing of toxic bile.

The Caffeine in the coffee will also do wonder to our gut, it stimulates the peristalsis movement to move waste materials through the intestines.

So... Coffee is not bad at all after all, that is why for some, coffee enema is known as 'Royal Flush'... you get all benefit in one go.

Colonic Hydrotherapy

Sometimes I asked myself if it is workable to do colonic hydrotherapy in Singapore. That was 5 years ago. And yes, it is workable and I indeed have gained so much experiences during these years. Thinking about my life today, and looking back to the way I was before embarking in this business, I have changed for the better, physically and mentally.

I am now so much in tune with my body, feeling it and nurturing it the way one should have look after his/her wellness inside-out.

Colonic hydrotherapy works wonder, but this is not a magic treatment, you won't feel or gain anything in the first few sessions, but when you are dilligently having it as your maintenance habit i.e once monthly to keep your bowel work efficiently, you will prosper with abundance health. But again life is such that everything must be kept in moderation, we need not only colonic hydrotherapy, but we also must look into our diet, our activity and rest, they are a package and colon hydrotherapy is complimenting them. It is impossible to live life well when we are not doing the whole package.

You may be wondering how colon hydrocleansing is administered, here is a little info on that:

The treatment lasts about 40 minutes, in the privacy and comfort of a room, a thin tube (just like the size of a chopstick) is gently inserted into the rectum about 3cm in only. Then purified, temperature-regulated water is introduced gently to stimulate the colon's natural pristaltic (squeezing) motion and the softened waste is easily released-the feeling of urgently need to pass motion is there and all you need to do just push, like when you do your 'call of nature' daily at home.

Candid camera on me???

Never realize that if I were in the candid camera, I look like this:

---- face not nice le...
Oh.. this was after Pearl Izumi Run 12km at Bedok sometimes in August 08, looking at my right knee, i was having bad knee misalignment.
A friend has linked me to this photo.

Visit The Retreat SPA @ Changi Village Hotel

With Jeanie, the SPA owner and Mrs. Wong, my lady boss

Outside the SPA, on the top floor of Changi Village Hotel, the view is superb

Outside the SPA, poolside area

One of the couple rooms, all rooms have splendid seaview.

Went to see The Retreat SPA, owned by Jeanie, as my boss would like to join venture with her, using her SPA facilities for a Stay in Detox Retreat. He was planning to have this stay-in detox retreat for sometimes already, something like the ones in Samui, Thailand.
I went to meet Albert at Bedok Interchange so that we could go together by Taxi to Changi Village, I had no idea to get there myself.

Reached there at 8am, Boss quickly greeted us and we headed to have a walk around the beach till the Sailing Club. Not bad for early morning walk, ha ya but I missed my regular Sunday Run @Sengkang. The walk was about 1.2km to go and back.
Like as if we had burned the major calories, we headed up for the Nasi Lemak store right after the walk, my goodness, food glorious food, we stuffed ourselves.

Back to the Retreat SPA; ambience was great, All rooms were groomed cozily and had wonderful seaview. I took some photos here and there. We also have some massage. They offered so called 'Signature Massage' - first, they put me into the shower then the sauna for 5min, followed by 20min steambath before the massage. Abby, the masseuse was so friendly, we kept on talking for the whole 1 hr massage, her strokes were ok but could be better. But not bad lah for a person who just joined the company for 6months only.

Here I'm just posing, but wait... too stifff! How can I make it to become model - ha ha ha